Helping people living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia quit smoking using phone-based support.
Official title: Quit4Life+: Adapting and Evaluating a Phone-Based Tobacco Use Cessation Program for People Living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10915421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful phone program that sends supportive text messages to people living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia to help them quit smoking, comparing it to regular care like advice and nicotine patches.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $651,101 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA261624-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10915421 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia who are current tobacco users.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or are not living with HIV may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and evaluate a phone-based program designed to help individuals living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia quit smoking. It addresses the unique challenges faced by this population, such as higher rates of depression and social stigma, by providing tailored support through text messages. Participants will be involved in a randomized control trial comparing this SMS intervention to standard care, which includes brief advice and nicotine patches. The goal is to assess the effectiveness of this approach in achieving long-term smoking cessation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the health outcomes of people living with HIV by reducing smoking-related deaths and enhancing their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in tobacco cessation interventions in general populations, but this specific approach tailored for HIV-positive individuals is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wipfli, Heather L — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Wipfli, Heather L
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.